Humidifier



Jan. 12 1926'.

.H. E. EGGERS HUMIDI FIER Filed Nov. 20, 1924 A. v a v Patented Jan. 12,1926.

UNITED STATES,

1,569,177 PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD E. EGGERS, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

HUMIDIFIEB.

Application filed November 20, 1824. Serial No. 750,999.

To all whom it may concern:

' The fundamental object of the invention is to provide a humidifier-inwhich the effective surface for water evaporation is increased muchbeyond that obtainable in prior art devices of comparable size. Thisenables a high rate of water evaporation to be obtained in a humidifierof comparatively small size, which is an important factor. in householduse where the humidifier is placed upon or behind the radiator, or isotherwise situated where small size and neat appear ance may be verydesirable. This increased evaporative efiiciency also enables a givenroom space or area to be humidified with a smaller number ofhumidifiers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a humidifiercharacterized bythe utmost simplicity of structure in which all wicksurfaces and any other elements requiring renewal have been eliminated;and in which all conduits, passages or other parts subject to clogginghave been eliminated.

I achieve the foregoing objects by providing a humidifier in which allof the exposed surfaces of the humidifier serve as one large evaporatingarea. This is attained by making the humidifier of a porous forcapillary material which absorbs and coni ducts the water to all of theexposed surfaces of the device in securing evaporation over a very largearea.

.Referring to the accompanying drawing illustrating my device:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodi ment adapted for placing upon thetop of the radiator;

Figure 2 is a lon itudinal sectional view through this form, eing takenon the two I planes indicated by the line 2-,2 of Fig. 1;

65 cated by the line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view of this embodiment taken on theplane indiwill pass in evaporatin Figure 4 is a plan view of anotherembodiment adapted for suspending behind or on the side of the radiator,and

Figure dis a side view, partly in section, of the above'form.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2

and 3, the humidifier is constructed in the form of a long,-narrowtrough or pan 8 of any desired pro-portions for placing upon thestandard radiator 9; The central part of this ,trough or pan is formedwith an open water receptacle 11 extending substantially the length ofthe device, the side 'and end walls being preferably formedcomparatively thick to accommodate a series of vertical holes 12. Theseholes form vertical flue areas which increase the evaporating surface ofthe unit. Any-desired arrangement of projections or scalloped sides mayalso be employed, with or WlthOllt these holes 12, for increasing theefiective surface of the humidifier. I

The under side of the an may beformed flat for resting fiat on tl ietops of the coils "of the radiator; or, as shown in Fig. 3, this underside may be formed with a recessed area 14, leaving side and end flanges15 for resting on the tops of the coils. The purpose of such recessedarea 14 isto trap a considerable portion of the heated air rising fromthe central portion of the radiator and compel it to pass up throu h thenumerous evaporating holes 12. T e air rising from the outer sides ofthe radiator proximity to the outer side walls of the umidifier.

The pan is constructed of a composition including" a fossiliferous orhighly absorbent earth such as kieselguhr, or some other like material,havin the necessary porosity or capillarity for t e absorption andconduction of water to all of the exposed surfacesof the device. If theporous or capillary substance employed has suflicient rigidity, andstrength a ainst fracture, it alone is used in the mol ing of the pan. I

preferablyemploy kieselguhr, and wheresuch substance is used it ispreferab e to add a strengthening binder in the form of cement or somesimilar substance. As illustrative of the proportions which will. giveample absorptive properties and the requisite strength, equal. amountsof Portland cement and kieselguhr may be used in the composition fromwhich the pan is Y molded. .As another binding material,

brick clay or ceramic clay may be used, in which case baking of themixture is required after the molding of it. In this case, the optimumproportion of kieselguhr or absorbent earth to clay will vary with thenature of the clay used.v

It will be apparent that the above properties of the material used inmolding the pan will result in the water placed in the reservoir 11seeping throug the porous or capillary structure of the device to everyouter surface of the humidifier. This seepage or conduction of water tothese surfaces will continue as long as water remains in the reservoirand substantially as fast as it is evaporated from these surfaces.

In Figs. 4 and 5, the humidifier is constructed in the form of a long,narrow pan 17 which is adapted for suspension; behind the radiator. Thisform comprises a rear wall 18 and front and end walls '19 and 20 forforming a pan of any desired depth. The rear wall 18, which is adaptedto contact with the radiator coils, may be formed with a scalloped orgrooved outer surface, as indicated at 21, for increasing theevaporative surface in immediate proximity to the radiator. Theprojecting scallops or ridges 21 may be spaced for engagement betweenthe coils of the radiator. This rear wall 18 may have a plurality ofvertical openings 22 extending therethrough for circulating heated airup through evaporating fiues. gage at their lower ends in holes 24 inthe rear wall of the humidifier and. are adapted for hooking over theupper tie connection joining the radiator coils.

It will be obvious that each of the foregoing forms of my invention maybe provided with any desired ornamentation, which ornamentation can bereadily molded as a part of the structure andthereby serve the usefulpurpose of increasing the evaporative surface of the humidifier.

It will be apparent that, within the spirit and scope of the presentteaching, my in-.

Hanger hooks 23 enwhat I claim, is:

1. A humidifier comprising a vessel composed entirely of porousmaterial, the sides of said vessel having vents formed therein.

2. An evaporator comprising a fluid containing vessel, the walls thereofbeing formed of porous material and having'air passages of relativelylarge cross section in said walls.

3. A humidifier adapted to be associated with a-standard radiatorcomprising a porous vessel having openings in the sides thereof, saidopenings being disposed at the places of greatest normal aircirculation.

4. A humidifier comprising a porous vessel adapted to rest on the top ofa standard radiator, the sides of said vessel being provided with airpassages, and the base thereof being hollowed so as to provide a relatively small area adapted to contact with the radiator.

5. A humidifier comprising a porous vessel adapted to rest on the top ofa standard radiator, the base of said vessel being pro-, vided with aperipheral flange adapted to contact with said radiator.

6. A humidifier comprising a pan one wall of which is composed of porousor capillary material, said wall having cylindrical air passagewaystherein.

7. A humidifier comprising a pan one wall of which is composed of porousor capillary material, said wall having air passageways formed therein.

8. A humidifier comprising a pan having its several lateral wallscomposed of porous or capillary material having air passages formedtherein.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 15th day ofNovember, 1924.

' HAROLD E. EGGERS.

